Bird of paradise plants are native to South Africa but are now found in mild climates everywhere. This plant provides dramatic blooms that resemble a bird with a crown. It is also known as the crane flower.

The true leaves on the bird of paradise so closely resemble those of a banana plant that the bird of paradise was once classified in the same family. It now has its own classification: Strelitzia reginae.

Bird of Paradise flower in our garden.

A view from the top shows the beautiful purple or blue petals. These heart shapes are the female parts of the flower.
Note in the beginning it has 6 orange or yellow sepals and two of the purple petals.
Then a day later more sepals and petals come out of the flower bract. There are always sets of 3 orange sepals to 1 purple petal.